Cowboys vs. Bears: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

NFC playoff implications run wild on the Week 14 edition of Monday Night Football, which sees the Dallas Cowboys make the trip to Solider Field to take on the Chicago Bears.

Dallas is riding high at 7-5 and tied for first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys have won two in a row to match their best streak of the season. Dallas slipped by the New York Giants 24-21 in Week 12 and then stormed back to beat Oakland 31-24 on Thanksgiving.

Chicago is headed in the opposite direction at 6-6 and second place in the NFC North. After starting the season with three wins, the Bears have dropped six of nine. Week 12 was a 42-21 knee-slapper against St. Louis before 3-8-1 Minnesota took down the Bears in overtime last week, 23-20.

Interestingly enough, both teams desperately need this win to stay in their respective divisions with the season winding down. There is no better place to settle the matter than under the national microscope.

Before fans close this tab and go to sell their tickets, understand that this is not a horrible thing on Monday night. For one, McCown has been solid in executing coach Marc Trestman's offense when called upon. He has 1,195 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception in his last four starts.

Two, the Dallas defense is laughably bad and ranks second-to-last with an average of 294.9 passing yards allowed per game. The unit also allows an average of 25.2 points. That said, the unit will get a big boost with the return of elite linebacker Sean Lee.

So what's the problem? The Bears do not score a lot with McCown. Chicago managed just 20 points against Minnesota, a team with a defense that ranks right in front of Dallas in terms of pass defense (despite 12 catches, 249 yards and two touchdowns from receiver Alshon Jeffery).

As a whole, the Bears have not scored more than 23 points in each of their last four games. Against a potent Dallas offense, Chicago's own will have to wake up.

Prediction

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

While the Chicago offense may find success against the Dallas defense, the Cowboys are well equipped to control this game on the ground.

Which team wins?

Dallas Chicago Submit Votevote to see results

Which team wins?

Dallas

62.2%

Chicago

37.8%

Total votes: 3,076

Chicago ranks dead last against the run with an average of 153.6 yards allowed per game. Dallas just discovered it has a potent rushing attack with DeMarco Murray, who rushed 17 times against Oakland (No. 10 rush defense) and recorded 63 yards and three scores.

While Lance Dunbar was part of the equation (12 rushes for 82 yards) and is now out for the season, that production can be replaced by Joseph Randle and Phillip Tanner against Chicago.